Chilhowie
Mayor Gary Heninger presents Jennifer Testerman the town’s Ultimate Warrior
award and a resolution commending her actions in saving the life of a choking
student.
Chilhowie
Mayor Gary Heninger presents Jennifer Testerman the town’s Ultimate Warrior
award and a resolution commending her actions in saving the life of a choking
student.
Testerman
and a grateful family: Carl Roy Jonkers, Jennifer Jonkers-Jones and Aaron Jones
after the presentation Thursday.
By DAN KEGLEY/Staff
It was a routine lunch in the
Carl Roy Jonkers, 8, enjoyed his pizza, taking big bites as was his custom. Without warning his enjoyment turned to fear. He was choking on the pizza’s hard crust. It was lodged behind his orthodontic appliance, blocking his airway, immoveable.
“I was scared, and sad,” Jonkers said. “I thought I was going to get choked and die.”
He could have without intervention.
Teacher Jennifer Testerman sat at the end of the table. A student across the table from Jonkers saw what was happening and called out for Testerman.
“I jumped up and got to him,” Testerman said. “He was turning blue, purple. I knew it was serious. I said ‘call the nurse,’” but she knew she could not wait for the nurse to arrive.
Testerman wrapped her arms around the fading boy -- he was on his knees on the seat at the table and his head was dropping toward his tray – and performed the Heimlich maneuver, the abrupt, concentrated upward thrusts of a balled fist below the sternum. Soon, the crust blew out of his throat, and Jonkers could breathe again.
His parents, Dr. Jennifer Jonkers-Jones and Aaron Jones, were on their honeymoon and learned of Jonkers’ ordeal when they returned. Although he could not finish his meal, he was OK. No need to alert the honeymooners who said “thank God for Mrs. Testerman” when they came home, they said.
On Thursday, Chilhowie’s town council made that sentiment official, honoring Testerman in a resolution that expressed appreciation to her “for her composure, quick thinking, and heroism in performing this selfless act to save the student’s life.” The council also presented Testerman the Ultimate Warrior award.
After the presentation, Testerman said she was trained in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, “but it expired.”
“Apparently not!” Jones exclaimed.
Jones said Jonkers previously had a habit of taking too-large bites. “He could eat a rice cake all at once.” But Jonkers said his experience changed that.
Asked if the unusual poise he showed at his age came after his experience, Jonkers-Jones said Jones had always been a mature little boy. Jonkers said coming close to death had changed him, but after thinking for several moments, he was unable to find words that might describe how the felt different inside.
One thing Jonkers could unambiguously say: he will one day learn to do the Heimlich maneuver.
dkegley@wythenews.com